The action at the Union Dallas building at 2301 N. Akard St. continues with the opening date of another restaurant: North Italia, the Italian concept from Phoenix-based restaurant company Sam Fox Restaurants, is joining the mixed-use development at Field Street and Cedar Springs Road, with an opening date targeted for May 1.

Usually it's not a good idea to outright state the opening date because they're hard to meet. But this is Sam Fox we're talking about. If Sam Fox says it will be May 1, then May 1 it shall be.

This is the second North Italia in the Dallas area; the first debuted in Plano in 2017. At the Union, it will join its sibling, The Henry, which opened there in February 2019 and has pretty much been mobbed since.

Fox is also the parent company for Flower Child, which has two locations, also both jamming: one at Dallas' Inwood Village and a second that opened on Belt Line Road in Addison in 2018.

The Dallas North Italia will encompass 5,501 square feet — really, you don't wanna round that down to 5,500?— with a full-service bar, indoor dining room, and outdoor dining area as well. Patio is a must.

Menu highlights include the grilled artichoke with sea salt, truffle, grana Padano cheese, and lemon aioli; Italian farm salad with salami, provolone, pepperoncini, olive, Campari tomato, red onion, cucumber, roasted pepper, and Italian dressing; house-specialty Bolognese served with traditional meat sauce; a chef's daily pizza; and Italian desserts such as almond-mascarpone tart, tiramisu, and hazelnut torta.

North Italia also offers a kids menu with a variety of childhood favorites.

The beverage menu is crafted by Mat Snapp, who is Sam Fox Restaurants' beverage director. Cocktails include the Quiet Italian Gentleman with Bulleit Rye, Carpano Antica, Campari, and Disaronno Amaretto; Life In Italics with Aviation Gin, Italicus Rosolio, peach bitters, lavender blossom, and Fever Tree Mediterranean tonic; and the Sicilian Margarita with Gran Centenario Anejo, Solerno blood orange and lime.

They'll also serve local beers and a variety of red and white wines.

They'll be open lunch and dinner, with a weekday happy hour and weekend brunch.